Sports

Monday April 17, 2006

Hockey: Win over China puts Malaysia on right track again

MALAYSIA finally secured a much needed win in the World Cup qualifying tournament, beating hosts China 2-0 at the Wu Jin Sports Complex Hockey Stadium in Changzhou yesterday.

With the win, Malaysia are back in contention to make the World Cup Finals from at least the playoff for fifth place. Malaysia have now overtaken Japan in the standings in Group B on better goal difference. Both teams have three points from one win and two defeats.

China are at the bottom of the table with a point and have a slim chance of making the cut.

South Korea, who defeated Japan 4-2 yesterday, lead the standings on seven points. New Zealand are now in second place after crashing to a surprise 2-5 defeat by France. The Kiwis have six points – one more than France.

In a do-or-die mission yesterday, Malaysia had to work hard against a side bent on defending and playing a tight man-to-man marking game.

BREAKING AWAY: Malaysia’s Chua Boon Huat (right) takes on two Chinese players, Sun Tianjiun (left) and Luo Fangming, during their World Cup qualifiers Group B match in Changzhou. Malaysia won 2-0. --AFPpic
Malaysia failed to find the mark from three penalty corners in the first half. They also missed three clear chances in the 27th, 29th and 31st minute with Kelvinder Singh, Azlan Misron and Jiwa Mohan muffing the attempts to settle for a goalless first half.

They broke the Chinese down with two second-half goals, taking the lead off their fourth penalty corner in the 47th minute. It came off a deflection by Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin after a pass from Mohamed Amin Rahim, who decided against a direct flick.

The goal eased the pressure on the Malaysians and they settled down to make better inroads in attack.

In the 60th minute, Ismail Abu trapped a cross from the 25-yard line by K. Keevan Raj and beat goalkeeper Su Rifeng from the top of the D.

Coach Wallace Tan said: “The players responded well and kept plugging away even when they could not break through the Chinese defence early on in the game.

“The Chinese made it hard for them by going for every ball. But we controlled the game and it was a matter of time before we got the goals.

“We got the three points to put us back in contention for a place in the World Cup Finals. We have two matches to go in the group (against France and New Zealand) and there has been an improved performance from all the players.”

Malaysia opted to start with a more experienced line-up and junior forwards Tengku Ahmad and Ismail found themselves on the bench. But they came in to score a goal each.

“It was a tactical move and the players did very well overall,” said Wallace.

Malaysia: Mohamed Nasihin Nubli, S. Kuhan, Chua Boon Huat, Mohamed Amin Rahim, Megat Azrafiq, K. Keevan Raj, Azlan Misron, Jiwa Mohan, Jivan Mohan, K. Logan Raj, Mohamed Madzli Ikmar.

Substitutes: S. Kumar, Ismail Abu, Mohamed Madzli Ikmar, Kelvinder Singh, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin.

China: Sun Tianjun, Qiao Yuandan, Luo Fangming, Hu Huiren, Li Wei, Song Yi, De Yunze, Liu Xiantang, Yu Yang, Na Yubo, Su Rifeng.

Substitutes: Ye Peng, Chen Jian, Jiang Xishang, Wang Yang, Zhang Pengcheng.

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